After years of working for industry leaders, Monica Mockus identified a need for a more human-centered approach to pharmaceutical marketing and consulting. She launched mock5 design in 2014 to fill this need and the company has been growing steadily ever since.
mock5 design, inc. is a women-owned, human-centered creative agency that provides graphic design content and strategic services to people-focused companies. The firm helps its clients reach their customers and stakeholders through meaningful and accessible engagement that builds communities, establishes trust and reinforces their commitment to improving lives around the world.
Mockus has been committed to not only growing her business but also professional development. She completed a year-long mentorship with the global biotechnology leader, Genentech, navigated the rigorous CapitalOne Catapult Program, and was selected to represent mock5 design in the DA4S Eight That Innovate competition. She has been recognized as the DA4S volunteer of the year and graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
For the past 10 years, Mockus said she has been on a journey of growth and learning, reinventing herself and her company while creating a respectful, open, innovative, kind and fun place to work.
“Monica embodies all of the best qualities of leadership and has created a balanced workplace environment that is diverse and welcoming and lends to an amazing work-life balance for her employees,” said her staff. “She has curated a team of professionals that are creatively brilliant collaborators, as well as friends, many of whom have been with mock5 design since the beginning and have now become members of the executive team.”
According to Mockus, she encourages her staff to dream big. “I played it safe for so long, wanting to protect this little island of brilliance,” she said. “I think had I known the joy of giant goals and that big aspirations are no more risky than small ones, I would have started crafting these ambitions from the very beginning.”
Now focused on big aspirations, Mockus said her focus moving forward is to build the firm’s sustainability while championing other diverse-certified and women-owned companies through providing partnerships, sharing business opportunities, mentoring and investing in their missions.
As a leader, Mockus said her superpower is to make people feel seen, from clients and employees to toll booth workers. “One of my favorite things in the world is to uncover what truly matters to the people around me and to honor that through the acknowledgment, engagement and authentically enjoying their passions,” she said.
